NT Govt to introduce 'toughest' grog laws in country

The NT Government plans to introduce what it says are the toughest alcohol laws in the country.

7pm TV News NT

Chief Minister Paul Henderson says a bill being introduced to Parliament on Wednesday will target problem drinkers as well as giving more powers to the Licensing Commission.

Mr Henderson says the bill will give police and courts more powers to put people on the banned drinkers registry, and see people forced into rehabilitation.

He says traders will not be overlooked in the bill, which the Government describes as the nation's toughest alcohol reforms.

"We're going to close those gaps and ensure that alcohol is traded responsibly and just doesn't feed into the misery that's occurring around [Alice Springs]," he said.

"People have got to wake up to themselves that if you've got a licence to sell alcohol, you've got a broader responsibility to the community, not just to the profit motive of your own business."

The Government says it is also drawing up legislation which will take a tough approach to anti-social behaviour in public housing.

The Government faced questions from the Member for MacDonnell Alison Anderson, who says a woman living in an Alice Springs public housing unit has been told it will take four years to transfer her to another unit.

The woman made the request after being traumatised by a stabbing in a neighbouring flat.

Minister for Public and Affordable Housing Chris Burns says he would be happy to meet with the woman.

"I'm red hot about this issue about anti-social behaviour in our public housing complexes," he said.

"And unfortunately most of it emanates from people who aren't residents.

"Often it eminates from people who are visitors, so I'm looking at taking a very hard line on this issue."